As the game began the Knights were looking to win their first ever state title while the Vikings were hoping to break NP's 14 game unbeaten streak. The North Penn fans were out in full force, almost filling their entire section of seating to support their boys.

The game opened up as North Penn kicked of to PCC, who caught the ball deep in their zone. After finding a hole and running the ball for a 48 yard return, David Kornock was left to make the tackle and the Vikings were at mid-field. In a drive that looked threatening on the opening play, the Knights defense had an answer. With great defensive pressure on the quarterback, senior George Farrell drew two incomplete passes. The second came on 4th and short, and the pass coverage along with the rush were enough to force the turn over. The Knights found themselves on their own 32 with the ball. North Penn had an opportunity to strike first, as QB Adam Hearn's found himself being chased around in the pocket, he spotted senior Jim Laky wide open downfield. Unfortunately the pass was caught up in the winds and the play that would have given the Knights an early lead fell incomplete. North Penn was unable to do anything with the possession and was forced to punt, which forced the Vikings to work their way from the 5 yard line. The Knights defense forced PCC to make the plays they had to in order to gain some yards, however after a huge stop by North Penn the Vikings were once again forced to punt from their own end zone. This gave the Knights great field position as they took over on the Vikings 33. After a short series of runs the North Penn Knights were first to strike. Senior Kevin Akins got the ball on a hand off inside the 5, and ran it in for a touchdown. With 52 seconds left in the quarter Jon Striefsky added the extra point, making the game 7-0 Knights.

Pitt. Central Catholic opened the second quarter with the ball, but after 2 plays North Penn took over at their own 20. Unable to come up with anything the Knights punted the ball back to the Vikings. In the ensuing possession the Viking's quarterback took a big hit from NP's Dave Mimm's causing a loss of 2 yards. The Vikings were looking for anyway to get through the Knights and found it in #6 Eugene Jarvis, whose speed made him tough to catch. PCC was not having luck with the ground game during the drive and on an attempted pass play, NP junior Eric Halberstadt had an interception on the 11 yard line. The Knights could not capitalize on this however and PCC forced the punt unit to come on. The special teams unit of PCC was aggressive and eager, and it paid off. The punt attempt was blocked, recovered and taken in for a touchdown by PCC with 5:10 left to play in the half. After the extra point the score was tied at 7 all. The Knights were hoping to go into the half with a lead, and with a 45 yard run by Akins, it looked as if they may have had it. A penalty however game the Knights a 1st & 15, and the Knights could not produce a score. After going for it on 4th&2, North Penn turned the ball over on downs. The half ended with the score tied 7-7. North Penn entered the locker room to a roaring crowd who hoped the second half would produce more scoring from the Knights.

North Penn did not disappoint the crowd. As the Knights received the kick off to open up the half sophomore Ian Carpenter returned the ball to the Knights 40 yard line. On a screen pass from Adam Hearn's, senior Jim Casertano took the ball for a 34 yard run breaking almost 5 tackles on his way. This set up Akins for a rush to the 3 yard line putting the Knights into scoring position. Casertano's first attempt to get into the end zone was unsuccessful, but did give the Knights a first down. With 4 chances to get into the end zone from the one yard line the Knights were confident. Jim Casertano took the ball into the end zone on his second try only 4 minutes into the game, and the Knights went up, 14-7. Kornock's kick was once again deep, and the Knights defensive pressure was awesome. Brian Ford forced a fumble on the 23 yard line, and as Dave Mimm's fell on the ball the Knights were back in business. Two plays later QB Adam Hearn's made his way into the end zone, and only one minute later the Knights went up 21-7. However the Vikings came back strong, and on a QB keep PCC went for 62 yards before being caught from behind by NP's Deanco Oliver. With the ball on the 8 the Vikings were trying to get a touchdown to get them back into the game. The Knights' defense was strong however with big stops from Eric Halberstadt, Jeff Ball and Andrew Brown and PCC was forced to settle for a field goal. NP answered back as 3 consecutive running plays by Akins totaling 57 yards put the Knights in field goal range. With the first Knights field goal all season, Jon Striefsky put the Knights back on top by 14. The quarter ended with the ball in the hands of PCC, but the score in favor of the Knights.

The fourth quarter was a show, as PCC all star Eugene Jarvis broke tackles and showed his speed. However, the Vikings could not hang on to the ball and North Penn recovered a fumble on their own 21 yard line. Jim Laky gave the Knights great field position with a 67 yard run to the PCC 10 yard line. This set up Casertano for his second TD of the night as he dove over the goal line for 6 points. The extra point from Striefsky made the score 31-10 with 8:49 left in the game. The Knights defense was certainly on tonight, as Mimm's had his second sack of the night and North Penn took over on downs. Unfortunately a fumble by the Knights on their own 24 gave the Vikings great field position. Senior Jeff Ball had a huge defensive play as the quarterback was sacked again, this time on third down drawing a 4 & 14. PCC, desperate for a score, hurled the ball into the end zone on 4th down. With pressure on the ball from Jeff Ball, and great pass coverage once again in the end zone, the pass was incomplete and NP took over on downs. With less than 4 minutes on the clock North Penn could feel how close a victory was. To clinch the Knights victory, Eric Halberstadt ran for a 66 yard TD, to go along with his interception, fumble recovery and impressive defense through out the night. With 1:02 left on the clock North Penn led the game 37-10. A last ditch effort by the Vikings, who had an impressive drive to mid field was not enough and the Knights of North Penn went on to win their first ever state title.

With a final score of 37-10 the North Penn Knights are now the 2003 PIAA AAAA State Champions. Good Job Knights, and great season!

- Meghan Halberstadt, NP 2005